| Computer Backup
Title : Computer Backup.
Audience : SME non technical at decision making level
data backup guide only.
User I.T. Knowledge 2/10
Source : http://www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm
Posted : March 07
Reviewed Sept 07
Updated n/a
Copyright : backupanytime original content.
Redistribution as is : No permission required (with
credits)
Modification : With written permission from backupanytime.
Computer Backup is a very wide remit as a subject for
clarification. If you are a computer professional please
see join our free private white papers area. This document
was prepared for non technical computer users and small
business owner managers who want an understanding of
the principles involved rather than to take over the
responsibility of computer backup.
(Basic and not literal or location specific) These vary
from region to region. In most first world nations the
following applies. You are required to:
- Retain a secure copy of all business critical data
and to ensure its' availability.
- You are required to revise same and manage the information
life cycle of your organization with regard to data
availability, retention, management, security, privacy
and integrity.
- Most Eurozone countries (including Ireland) require
you to retain your backups within your region.
The strictest backup responsibilities should be those
you impose on yourself. Your backups should be:
- Frequent : Nightly for critical data.
- Without exception : Nightly means every night. Any
system which may miss this should not be acceptable
to you.
- Self reporting : Computer backups should report
to you automatically with easily understood status
information.
- Verifiable : You should be able to do an unassisted
test at any time without reference to any outside
party.
- Uninterrupted : The backups should run when systems
are not in use and should not be stopped by other
software.
- Revised : Your computer backups should be revised
frequently with a view to adding new data areas and
systems.
- Automated : Any manual process risks backup exceptions
and is therefore no longer acceptable.
From the requirements section we must conclude that
many so called computer backup options are not actually
viable.
U.S.B. Pocket drives are absolutely not a viable backup
option. On occasion and without warning they “flash”
as in delete on entry and exit. Do not use pen drives
for data backup. They are for portability only and will
in time let you down in the form of total data loss.
CDs and DVDs need manual handling, loading, removal
and storage and therefore are not compatible with automation.
External hard drives are not a viable backup option.
They suffer from almost the same “flash”
risk as pocket drives plus they are more fragile. Don't
let the added weight give you a feeling of security.
Removable hard drives are exceptionally fragile and
even if never moved, they will fail one day as they
are designed for a general range of spins and on/of
sessions. The manufacturer will cover cost of drive
(a pittance compared to data value) only during warranty
period.
Tape is still considered a safe computer backup option
by many. The main reason is simply the poor reliability
of most modern high volume fast spinning hard drives.
Tape is however an old technology and is best considered
as a local store in addition to online computer backup.
Online backup is fast becoming the computer backup choice
for most commercial organizations regardless of company
size. It offers an affordable fast track to security,
compliance functionality. In most cases (with all reputable
suppliers) it also comes with person to person support.
Nobody (including any online backup company under consideration)
can tell you to stop your current backup system no matter
how crude or antiquated it is without very careful consideration.
What you can do however is add online backup to your
system.
The number of backup options may appear to be
wide and varied but when examined closely it becomes
obvious that most traditional computer backup options
and almost all emerging data transport devices do not
cut the mustard for even single computer backup. It
may be difficult to refrain from doing what you are
doing and multiple backup types (if introduced with
the other in mind and file marking is accounted for)
should not be an issue if managed correctly. Sooner
or later however you are likely to decide or be advised
that online backup is the safst option. The only remaining
factor is will you get it on time. Call the backupanytime
office with any queries you may have. All we ask is
that you allow us to put things in place before you
lose data.
If you found this document helpful you may like to
visit www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm
or our website proper at www.backupanytime.com
If you are a system administrator and would like technical
details please register your interest on our contact
page requesting membership of our private white
paper area for I.T. Professionals.
"If you don't get it on paper,
you probably won't get it"
backupanytime, the computer backup team awaits your
call.
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